Charles Town Old Opera House purchases building

Old Spirit of Jefferson home to be repurposed for offices, storage and dance, acting and music classes

January 28, 2013

CHARLES TOWN - Amid the vast array of costumes protruding into his office, Steven Brewer sits behind his desk discussing where and when he will have more space around his desk in the office at the Charles Town Old Opera House.

For more than four years, Brewer said, he has been searching for not only a place to store all the costumes and scene equipment, but also a place to expand his dance studio, acting and music classes.

As every inch of the opera house space is being used, performers have to use the stage for rehearsals, because the rehearsal hall is being used for a studio.

Article Photos

Photo by Michelle HorstSteven Brewer, managing and artistic director of the Old Opera House in Charles Town, tours his newly purchased building, which used to house The Spirit of Jefferson. Brewer plans to expand his programs with the new space.

Photo by Michelle HorstSteven Brewer, managing and artistic director of the Old Opera House in Charles Town, tours his newly purchased building, which used to house The Spirit of Jefferson. Brewer plans to expand his programs with the new space.

"We came close to making an offer on a couple places," Brewer said.

But before that happened, the building two doors down from the opera house - the building that was home to The Spirit of Jefferson for many years - was put up for sale.

"It was just the ideal situation for us, and because of the way the building is set up, it's pretty much a long, tubular open building that we can do all kinds of things with," he said.

On Dec. 19, the opera house closed on the old 3,600-foot building and construction work began shortly thereafter.

"Right now they are doing some demolition work and taking out some non-supporting walls and things we don't need," Brewer said, adding the process will take approximately six months before the new building will be open.

Classes at the opera house work in three sessions between fall, spring and summer. Brewer expects the new space to be ready by the summer session, but fall at the latest.

In addition to the possibility of hiring more staff, Brewer will expand his dance studio, which is currently very limited. He said the opera house is also looking to expand its acting and classes and consider the possibility of adding adult programs.

"We hope this opens up the possibility for us to do and offer a few more presentations on the stage," he said.

The Old Opera House celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011, and Brewer said the idea of having a full art center working in tandem with the theater is something that goes back as many years.

"We are just making another step in making that dream come true," he said.